Need Advice on Good Baby Carrier

My baby Bjorn front carrier was a lifesaver. I love it. However its only good for up to 30 pounds. I could face my daughter towards me or facing out wwhich she loved, she out grew it by 7 months because of her height. but I will keep it around for the next one definatley. I hope this helps
M.

I tried a sling and I couldn't get used to it. I tried the Baby Trekker and it was awkward to put on. Also, the baby would fall too far back. The best thing we used was the Baby Bjorn. As they are very expensive, we bough one at a second hand baby store for about $40. I would highly recommend it. The baby is comfortable and you can move around comfortably. They also have a higher end sports version.
Good luck.

I wholeheartedly agree with Kirsten L. The Baby Bjorn Active Carrier is the most wonderful product. I had tried the Baby Bjorn Original (no back support) and an Infantino Sling Rider (sling) but the sling only lasted us so long until my daughter (now 4 months) wanted to see the world (around 2 months). My husband is also tall and built and he loves to wear the Baby Bjorn with his daughter when we go shopping, etc. It was an investment, but I know they go on sale places (just saw it on sale at Amazon.com) and you can get them off the internet. BUT if you are going to invest in a Baby Bjorn, definitely get the Active Carrier with lumbar support. My sisters have the original and they wish they had the Active that I do.

Hi,
I am Brandi and I have a 5 month old girl. I bought the Snugli at Target. It is a pack that you can wear on your front or back and the baby can go facing in or out. I love it and it was only like $32. I do chores around the house in it, take her for walks, do my grocery shopping in it... it is the best. I can't imagine the $100 Baby Bjorn being any better than this one, it work perfectly!

I went through your dilemma a couple of years ago with my oldest daughter. I found that baby bjorns and other front carrier packs/ back carrier packs weren't working for me. I would end the day with horrible shoulder and back pain. I bought a sling and WOWSERS! What a difference. I could adjust the sling with one hand, use different positions and no pain at the end of the day. :) That is my personal preference. My daughters both enjoy the sling and sleep in it very comfortably if they get tired while we're out.

I highly reccomend the ERGO baby carrier, especially if you want to purschse one carrier that with take you through. I tried most of the options. I found that the baby bjorn was good util my child was about 15lbs. They say they are good until 20lbs. but I found it really uncomfortable after 15. The ERGO can be used in the front and on the hip and on the back. It is tricky to put the child in on the back at first especially if they are little but once you get the hang of it its great. My daughter is now 19 mos. and 26lbs and I use it for walks and in the grocery store since she won't stay in the cart even with a seat belt! She loves it. Good luck. L.

I have a Moby Wrap and I love it. It is adjustable so any person can wear it and it can grow with your child. The other nice thing about it is you can wear your child in several positions, facing in, facing out, a sling, etc. It is also not that expensive, under $40. Their website is Mobywrap.com. They look hard to use, but really are not.

I have the "Baby Bjorn" baby carrier and I absolutely love it! It is so comfortable for the baby and me! I definitely looked for good back support when trying to find a baby carrier. This one is great and I use it all the time. At Babies R Us it's great, because you have the option to try them on for size and really get a feel for how comfortable they are or aren't. Long story short: Baby Bjorn is my fav!

I LOVED my Baby Bjorn (I think that's how you spell it). They are $79.99 at Babies R Us, and well worth the price. It was the best! For my daughter I had gotten the "Snugli", and I was so uncomfortable, I never used it. My husband & I used the Baby Bjorn with my son EVERYWHERE! In fact, my girlfriend just bought one because I insisted. She LOVES it. Her daugther just turned 3 months old as well.

Hey!! I have 3 girls...5, 4 and 2 years old. I used a hand-me-down Babybjorn carrier for all 3!! And then I past mine on to a friend. I would suggest any Babybjorn carrrier they have...they keep upgrading them every year and just get better and better. They are for sure worth the money!! You can carry your baby facing forward or turn him around and cuddle on your chest...I miss those days! Thought I could help!! Good luck!! C. :)

I also used the peanut from goo-ga and I love it. I have been using it since she was born. One of the nice things about it was that if we were out all day I could nurse her, she could sleep and when she was awake she could sit up and look around once she was old enough. And now that she is almost a year I can wear her on my hip or slide it around to my back.

It was a litte expensive but they do have ones that are one sale. You should see if there are any baby stores near you that allow you to try on different slings and carriers.

Hey R.,
I bought the Snuggli brand and I got it at Target for around $20. It works great! I recommend that instead of buying a pricy one. But if you want to spend more money that is up to you. My daughter preferred the carried over a sling because she was too confined in a sling! good luck!

Also, do you know about safe naturally products to use in your home, especially with a new baby in the home? I would love to tell you more and refer you to a great company if you are interested! Give me a call or I can call you.

Sincerely,
B.
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Hello R.~
My name is Kim S., I also have a son but he is 4 months old. I just bought a carrier and it was a cheapy at Target. It works great. It is called Infantino, and he hangs in it and then you can have him face you. My son loves it and falls asleep in it all the time.

My baby lived in her Baby Bjorn - and while it was a bit pricey, it was definitely worth the money. It carrys up to 25 lbs too, so you can carry the child in it well past the age where you can use slings. Since your child is already 3 months old, he wont be happy sleeping in the sling for very much longer - he will want to be upright, and able to look at things. In the sling, he will struggle to be in an upright position: I used a sling for awhile, and it absolutely killed my back. The Bjorn I used had special lumbar and back support that was adjustable (my husband who is 6'4" and 250lbs was able to wear it comfortably too!) so my back rarely hurt.
Because they are so pricey, I suggest looking on your local craigslist or ebay for a good, cheap deal on new or used carriers. They are 100% washable - it was the BEST gift that I could have received for my shower.
Most mothers that have used and experienced the baby Bjorn will swear by its comfortableness, usefullness, and how much the babies love it. Heck, I think I loved it more than my baby. LOL. And it will last through all of your children - so, if you can afford it, definiely get the bjorn.

Hi R.,
I have worn my 8 month old since birth, and love it. I used the Moby wrap until she was about 20 lbs., and now I use an Ergo. The Ergo is primarily on the back, but can be used on the hip or front. Good Luck.

I really liked my sling too- it was called a peanut shell and is made by a woman here in the bay area. Their website is www.goo-ga.com. As far as other carriers, the baby bjorn is really by far the best. It is more pricey, but way more comfortable and durable than others I tried. Good luck!

I use a snugli (about $30.00) and really like it. It's comfortable for me to wear and easy to use. I really like that it converts from a front carrier for infants to a back carrier for toddlers, it's save money in the long run by not having to buy a new one as baby grows.

I don't like that it gets hot in the summer for me and baby if worn too long, and if you are breast feeding the pressure of baby against your breast can get a little painful in worn for too long, but I think that's the same with most carriers. Hope this helps. God bless and Good luck!

I swore by by Bjorn with my 1st daughter. Then I discovered thebabywearer.com. I learned that there are SOO many more types of carriers out there. I now LOVE my Maya Wrap Ring Sling. It it so easy to use and a LOT more comfortable than my Bjorn. I carried my sleeping 17lb 4 month old in the sling for 3 hours at the home show this weekend. I recently ordered a Beco Baby carrier, similar to a Bjorn but MUCH more support and cuter. I also got a Mei Tei, an asian style carrier on the way. I would definitely check out www.thebabywearer.com for some reviews on different carriers. They also have a For Sale or Trade forum where you can get a lot of carriers for less.

Good Luck!

I started out with the Bjorn till my son reached around 18 lbs, then I switched to the Ergo. I love them both. The Bjorn kept him very secure, It was very comfortable and I loved how he would fall asleep almost immediately when I started walking. He is very comfortable in the Ergo, I end up doing the grocery shopping by myself a lot and it is very comfortable, most of the weight is distributed to your hips. Both ran around $100, definitely worth the money!

Hi R.!
There are tons of great choices now for baby carriers. I used a moby wrap with my daughter until she was about 20 pounds, and have since used pouches, woven wraps, mei tais...

There is a store in Redlands that offers all of these, they will fit you, let you try them on and show you how to use each one. Here is the contact info:
Kissui Baby & Children
5 E Citrus Ave Suite 102
Redlands, Ca ###-###-####

I would like to mention that I did also try the baby bjorn, and for me it was terribly uncomfortable! I have since learned that there are not only more comfy choices for me, but for my daughter too-If you think about the design of a bjorn, it leaves the child suspended, placing undue pressure on their spine and groin. A more natural position will not only feel better for baby, but will ensure your comfort as well.

Good luck!

my favorites are the moby wrap and the ergo. we got the moby when my daughter was a month old and it changed our life, she loved it, it calmed her and she slept in it all the time. we used it exclusively until about 4 months when we added the ergo (which i now use exclusively since i can nurse in it). if you can, go to a store and try some different ones on. some babies like to lie down in a sling, but my baby never like being buried down in one. the moby and ergo are really comfy, much more than the bjorn. babies can face out in the moby. don't be intimidated by the wrapping, it's really easy!

I love my sling----One of those homemade ebay ones! I recommended it to tons of people and each one love it! CHeck it out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BLUE-Sling-A-Roo-Baby-Sling-Wrap-...

Hi R.,

I swear by the Baby Bjorn. It is pricey, but a really good investment, especially if you are planning to use it for more than one kid. Other mom's love a baby sling. If you are planning on nursing, that is a way to do it discreet. However, the baby bjorn can also be adjusted so you can breastfeed.

I love my Mayawrap.....I paid about $60 for it, it's the bigger one....now my son is 2 and I still use it with him when he's really tired and I don't want to take the stroller with us, and it's very secure and easy to use.... no buckles or straps to deal with, a simple pulley system....
You can even download the pattern to make your own at www.mayawrap.com or you can buy them from the site...or from la leche.....

I wasn't one of those who tried all kinds until I found the one I liked the most, so I can't really compare to others, but I can tell what I researched and found that I really like. It is called a SUTEMI. It is a soft fabric, and can be used on the front, on the hip, or on the back. I loved that it was multi functional. And you can use it for children from 4 months up to 24 months. They have slings for newborns too. They are very comfortable to wear, with wide padded straps on the shoulders, and a waist that sits on your hips to make it more comfortable on your back. Well, most of this you can read about on their web site, sutemigear.com I didnt' use mine as much as I thought I would, but when I have used it, I was happy with it. Check it out, hope this helps. P.S. If you live in southern Utah, I would be happy to let you try mine out to see if you like it before you purchase one for yourself. Just let me know.

L.
St George

I've used a lot of carriers. My personal experience:

* sling - great for infants - I'm petite so my kids both grew to be too long to be comfortable pretty quickly (4-5 months). On the other hand, I know a woman who still carries her 1 year old daughter around in it. Then again, she's about 10 inches taller and has a petite daughter.

* baby bjorn style front carriers - Work great for 3 months onward. The one I have doesn't distribute the weight well and my shoulders bear the brunt of the load - making it difficult to carry for long times. Check to make sure it has straps to put the weight down around your hips (like something that fastens the bottom of the shoulder straps around your waist)

* backpack - we hike, so it gets used a lot. Advantage - keeps the weight on your hips and you can cook since they are up and behind you. Disadvantage - can be hard to put on by yourself (I put it on the sofa and squat down to put it on). Can't really use it until your child has neck muscle control. Look for a frame that either adjusts to your frame or fits you well. I went to an REI and someone there helped fit one to me. A good one can run you around $100, but it'll last.

* moby wrap - I personally love this one. Looks a bit daunting and many are scared off by it. Check out their website. If you're willing to stick with it, it works great - soft, puts the weight on your hips and keeps your child very close to you. Disadvantage - can be warm in the summer

I have yet to find one carrier that does it all. You could try borrowing ones from other moms to see what works best for you.

-S.

Hi R.,
I have tried many carriers and really the best one for me was the baby Bjorn. I didnt like the sling just because the baby didnt really liike it past the newborn age. Even thought the baby bjorn carrier is expensive it was totally worth it. It didnt dig into my shoulders which is what the less expensive carriers did. It is masculine enough that Dad loved to wear it too. I think this is one of those things were the more expensive ones are worth it.

I got a sling from la leche league. I loved it. It held my child from birth all the way thru the age of 2. I bet you can guess that I don't believe in spoiling a child at that age. I guess it was just easier for me. I always knew where she was and it wasn't because she was crying. They say the more you hold your infants during the first 2 years the more independent they will be later on. It also gane me a cover to nurse w/ and other people just assumed she was slepping or they thought I had broken arm. Sometimes it was funny to see the shock on thier faces when they saw a baby.

Slings can be made, there are a lot of different patterns. So, if you are handy w/ your hands, get the pattern and make one (so much cheaper). The only thing I sew is a button back on the clothes, so making one was not an option.
They cost different prices, look all around the net. I loved mine so much that I used it for both of my girls (ages 9 & 12) and I still have it packed away. Just something I felt strongly about as an attachment parent.

Good Luck!

Hi, the only one I will use is the over the shoulder baby holder. It is a sling I purchased from a La Leche League meeting. I used it until my daughter was 2 and have a new baby due this month. You can get one at babyholder.com. It is about $45, I think. I love it! Especially if you plan to breastfeed, you can't even tell you are doing it! As an infant you hold them in the sling postion and as they get older, you can hold them tummy to tummy, piggy back, or on your hip. I highly recommend it.

Hi R. when my son was 3 months i bought the regular carrier and it really put alot strain on my back. Well i found the perfect carrier. You can visit www.mobywrap.com
i aboslutely love my wrap. My son loves it and it goes up to 35bls without your baby killing your back. I take it with me everywhere. They include a booklet to show you how to wrap it different ways.

As a mom of two who has purchased a variety of baby carriers (4 different ones) I will tell you baby wearing mamas are prone to buying more than one to have an alternate use.
The two I liked best were the Ergo carrier and the Wearing My Baby sling. We had a Baby Bjorn but when they reach the weight limit (and even before then my shoulders began to hurt) it doesn't have long lasting value into toddlerhood. Plus I read something about the way babies are seated by their crotch can negatively impact their vertabrae. I had another mommy made carrier that just didn't seem to ever mold to me and the babies, maybe because the material wasn't stretchy like it is with www.wearingmybaby.com . Why I like this type of sling is I do not have the patience to adjust any rings or wrap up any material in order to get my tired baby into a good close knit position to nap when we're out somewhere. The Ergo was great for taking walks around the neighborhood pre walker days where I could look at my baby eye to eye and yet they could still fall asleep comfortably if need be and had much better support for moms shoulders, plus the colors are nuetral for mom or dad. I've always favored supporting moms in their business when you find they have a good product or service so I'd recommend wearing my baby if I had to say one of the two... the versatility is there for different positions, lasting from infant to toddler days, great style and patterns, affordable, and having the pocket to hold your keys or cell phone is great! Let us know how it goes!

i tried almost all of the different kinds - the ergo is for sure the best, bc it's good for the baby's spine & hips and you can use it til your son is 5 years old.

I was fortunate enough to have a Baby Bijorn carrier handed down to me. I also had a Snugli of my own. I would definilty spend the extra money for the Baby Bijorn, especially if you will have more children. My son spent MANY hours strapped to my chest!!! The Bijorn seemed to be softer and more supportive. I am not one to soen money on the name brands, if you can find the same thing for less, but in this battle, Bijorn wins on a landslide!!!!!

I have 3 kids in 3 1/2 years and have found the hotsling to be great when they are young and the Ergobaby great for baby-toddler. I have a bad back and I can carry my 20 mo. old for long periods of time without my back bothering me. It is super easy to use also. If you go the sling route, make sure you know how to use it correctly b/c the right techinque can make a huge difference in comfort!